Packers control their destiny

Nov. 27, 2012

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) shows his frustration as he walks off the field after an incomplete pass during Sunday night's game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media

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The Packers suffered one of their worst thrashings in years in a 38-10 loss to the New York Giants on Sunday.

The good news is that the Packers still control their playoff destiny. They trail the first-place Chicago Bears by one game in the NFC North but can make up that ground with a victory in Chicago on Dec. 16. The Packers would then win any tiebreaker with the Bears based on their season sweep.

The Packers are the No. 5 seed in the NFC, which would give them a wild-card playoff berth. They won the Super Bowl as a No. 6 seed in 2010. The Packers hold a one-game lead over the Seahawks, Bucs and Vikings in the wild-card chase.

There are three other teams lurking at 5-6 and still in playoff contention, including the Saints, Cowboys and Redskins. NFL.com noted on Monday that in seven of the past eight seasons, a team with a 5-6 record or worse after 11 games went on to make the playoffs.

As it stands now, the Packers would play at the New York Giants in a wild-card playoff game, while the Seahawks would play at Chicago. The Falcons and 49ers would earn first-round byes.

Here is a look at the NFC playoff contenders and their remaining schedules: